Transfer round up Part 6
Carl Jenkinson (DEF – 5.0)
The story from the training ground is that when Jenkinson first heard the rumors about going to West Ham, he thought it was some classic good honest English banter. He was still laughing when he was taken down into East London and presented with his very own West Ham shirt. “OMG guys, you’ve even put my name on the back! Wait, you look a lot like Fat Sa… Oh sh*t.”. The writing was probably on the wall when Debuchy signed. The writing was firmly underlined when Chambers rocked up at London Colney. So what now for young Jenkinson? Based on last season’s stats, Jenkinson is actually a decent young attacking full-back. Unfairly blamed for the 8-2 hammering Arsenal took at Old Trafford, he has responded well when given the chance. (And the fact this is only a loan move suggests that Wenger sees a return to the Emirates at some point in the future.) In just under 9 games worth of playing time last season (803 mins), Jenko (lazy typist) notched up 1 goal, 2 assists, and 7 bonus points. Not too shabby. Priced at 5.0m he’s on a par with most of the likely first choice West Ham defence. If Jenko can displace Demel as the first choice right back, then he’s a decent shout for assist potential in a pretty mean defence.
Ryan Bertrand (DEF – 5.0)
“Sorry Ryan, we don’t have an Entrance at St Marys. You’ll have to use one of the many Exits.”
Once Bertrand fought his way through the traffic, all seemingly heading in the other direction, the young left-back found himself in a pretty good position for some first team Premier League football.
As with Jenko, this is only a loan deal, which suggests that Mourinho rates him for a return to The Bridge at some point. Either that or Mourinho just doesn’t like him. More on Lukaku later. Speaking after his move was announced, the Champions League winner said: “For me personally, this is another chance to play and a chance to join a fantastic club that’s moving in the right direction.” So other than a sh*t sense of direction, what is there to say about young Ryan?… On the upside, the guy knows how to fit into a new team (this will represent the seventh club that Bertrand has been shipped out on loan to). Koeman has also pretty much confirmed that Bertrand will be the regular left back. (Sorry to those taking a punt on 4.0m Targett!)
On the downside… He becomes only the third 5.0m+ defender in the Southampton squad, which implies that there is a least one cheaper way into the Saints defence. His stats last season were also far from amazing. No goals or assists in over 16 games worth of playing time.
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Romelu Lukaku (FWD – 9.0)
Firstly, just where the hell did Everton find £28m?! Presumably the market rate for scrap metal has rocketed and everyone in Merseyside is now driving around with a few less hubcaps. There is literally no other explanation. Everton are perhaps the biggest beneficiaries from the Southampton 2for1 sale. In a normal season they would have spent the summer fighting rumours about all their young stars leaving for greener grass. As it turns out, Barkley, Stones, etc are still there, and they have finally managed to find someone to fill the boots of mighty Kevin Campbell. (Look him up).
After a poor world cup, Lukaku will presumably be fired up and ready to add to his 15 goals, 9 assists and 21 bonus points from last season’s 31 appearances. At 9.0m he doesn’t come cheap though and is the games 6th most expensive striker. £0.5m more than Giroud, Dzeko and Bony and a whopping £2.0m more than Andy Carroll. Ok, that last one is justified. He is all but guaranteed to start every game and if Martinez can convince Mirallas to pass to him, Lukaku could be one of this seasons big scorers.
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Patrick van Aanholt (DEF – 4.5)
After seeing left back Alonso return home (after a loan spell) and Bardsley being used to entice Bojan to Stoke, van Aanholt rightly feels he can establish himself as a regular first-teamer at the Black Cats. After various loan spells out from parent club Chelsea, this is van Aanholt’s first real chance to show if he can make it in the Premiership. After just a handful of appearances at Chelsea, van Aanholt played the last couple of seasons in his homeland for Vitesse where last season alone he racked up an impressive five goals and five assists. “Yeah but it’s a weaker league, blah blah blah” says Raz. But I disagree! Those stats are good for a left back wherever you’re playing. At 4.5m and an all but guaranteed starting place, Van Aanholt could be a great route into the Sunderland defence, especially if you’re one of the managers nervous over which of Mannone/ Panty will line up in goal!
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Harry Maguire (DEF – 4.5) and Andrew Robertson (DEF – 4.5)
Sorry chaps, it’s late, and I just can’t justify giving you each your own section.
‘The Hull boys’ as Maggie and Robbo are known (in my house) are summer signings number four and five in what has been a busy summer already for Steve Bruce. Despite being only 21 years old, centre Back Maguire has been bossing League One for years (appeared in the PFA’s league one team of the year for the last three seasons and was Sheffield Utds Player and Young Player of the year in 2012). He played 52 times for United last season, scoring 6 goals.
Priced at 4.5 and with a bright future ahead of him, Maguire will be battling Chester, Davies and the managers’ son for a place in Hulls back three (or will it be four?). It’ll be worth keeping a close eye on the rest of Pre-Season to see how he fits in. Now, over to Robbo…
20 year old Scotland international left back Andrew Robertson has only been a professional footballer for a year! (There is hope for us all yet.) Robertson’s meteoric rise continues at the Tigers following his move from the amateur side Queen’s Park to Tannadice last summer. His first and only season with Dundee United saw him win the PFA Young Player of the year award and score 5 goals in 44 appearances, including a Henryesque solo effort run from his own half. With Hulls tendency towards attacking wing-back and if he can win the battle for a starting spot, he could be your poor mans Seamus Coleman.
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Dejan Lovren (DEF – 5.5)
What’s a 4 year contract worth when all your mates are moving up the road? After just one season at Southampton, 25 year old Lovren is following the well-trodden path up to Liverpool. The Croatian centre back will be hoping to claim a spot in arguably the weakest part of Rodgers team, and faces competition from Sakho, Skrtel, Toure and Agger, although the latter is rumored to be heading for the exit door. His stats last season included two goals, an assist and 17 bonus points and Rodgers has already spoken highly of Lovrens leadership skills. And let’s face it, you don’t spend £20m on a player for him to sit on the bench. Unless you’re Man City. Or Chelsea. Oh you get the point. He should be a starter, but at the same price as most of the players listed above (and 0.5m more expensive than Enrique), he’s probably not top of the list in that team or price range.
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Best of the rest…
Muhamed Besic (MID – 5.0)
“Surely he needs to spend a season on loan before we sign him?!”. “Played in the World cup you say?”. “Good enough for me. Sign him up.” Muhamed Besic joins the Toffees alongside Lukaku and Barry in what has been a good summer for Everton. At 21 years old he’s already a Bosnian international and is likely to provide competition for places in central midfield as well as being able to slot in at centre back. Listed as a midfielder, he’s not expected to be a points magnet.
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Calum Chambers (DEF – 4.5)
Apparently Luke Shaw’s price tag has kicked off silly season on prices for young English full backs. But wait, he’s not a full back says Mr Wenger! He can play full back, centre back or central midfield, and he’s one for the future. Hmm. Not the words a fantasy manager likes to hear. I suspect that despite his £16m price tag, young Calum will spend a large part of this season sitting on the bench as he waits for FA cup games and/or injuries to Debuchy. If Vermaelen leaves and doesn’t get replaced then he has an outside chance of deputizing at centre back as he did in yesterdays friendly game but that’s a long shot. At 4.5m and the hefty price tag you may be tempted, but I suggest you spend the additional cash on a safer option if you really need it into the Arsenal defence.
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David Ospina (GK – 5.0)
After 5 years of the world wondering “will it be Barca?, will it be Madrid?, or will it be Bayern that snaps up this talent?…”. Ok, so no one had heard of him before the World Cup, and no one would be interested if he wasn’t into the last year of his contract. But that’s not the point. Wenger’s head has been turned, and the replacement to Flappyhandski has been found. Wenger claims that Ospina is at Arsenal to challenge Sir Chesney for the number one jersey. We’ll see. Worth waiting for the opening weeks team sheets to come out before taking a punt on this one.
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Fraizer Campbell (FWD – 5.5)
A Premier League player signed for under £1m?? Does he have one leg? Is he over 40 years old? Is he George Weah’s cousin? No. He is Poundland to the Premierleagues Selfridges. He is Greggs to the Premierleagues Waitrose. He is Mito to the Premier Leagues Cookie. He is Frazier Campbell.
The 26 year old is the first major signing for Pulis after what was a solid season for Palace last time out. Campbell scored 9 goals in 39 appearances for Cardiff last season (6 goals and 4 assists in the league) and will provide another striking option alongside Murray, Chamakh and Gayle. Tough to get excited about this one. Time will tell who Pulis prefers.
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Didier Drogba (FWD – 6.5)
A familiar name at last. At 6.5m Drogba is rightly going to get a lot of Fantasy attention. Mourinho has already spoken that he feels Drogba’s lost none of the attributes that made him such a formidable Premier League striker in years gone by. In his last full season in the Premiership (’10/’11) Drogba notched 12 goals, 15 assists and 26 bonus points. The question mark now though will be over game time and how he’ll fit in now that Costa is on board. If Mourinho sticks with the 4-2-3-1 formation then you’d think that most of Drogba’s game time will come from the bench. If there is a sniff of the Drogba/ Costa partnership in the Chelsea starting lineup however, then this could be the bargain of the season.
Most nailed stoke 5m defender?
I would go pieters for me burnsy!!
This, there is an attacking threat there as well. Pieters should be the favorite pick from Stoke’s defence if Cameron is not nailed.
Good afternoon all, here is my latest tinker but more importantly I just wanted to test if I can send images ok!
Hi Cookie. I think you could do with a premium defender in there, someone like Shaw/Terry (a lot seem to have doubts about these two but i’m certain they’re nailed on). Really not liking the Ashley Young pick, cant see him doing much this season. I have a gwk 6/7 plan for Yaya, would rather have Hazard, Cesc or Mata in place of him while they’re fixtures are juicy.
I like the team, bit different from other teams because of the inclusion of YYT, Sterling and Young. Young could do well if he plays.
Bit concerned about Bards and Clyne. Bards has competition from Cameron, who was quite decent last year with Stoke, and Clyne is too overpriced for my liking at 5M under a new boss and a different team.
Cheers,
If Vlaar goes there I will likely change.
Shaw and Terry – I hear you NIN – though Jose’s warning to Terry that he is not guaranteed a new deal shows he is not the shoe in he has been, especially with the better option they have now.
Young I just chucked it in there to see what I could do – clearly its not final, just interested in views. I disagree with you about Young though and if anyone thinks Shaw is a guaranteed cos they paid up for him is very mistaken.
You could be right over Bardsley – to be honest I only threw that defence up with the dosh I have left. Huth is another good option I think – don’t remember Pieters doing much last season, whereas when he played Huth was always a threat at corners etc.
Did Huth spend a lot of last season injured, I remember muniesa playing most games?
Yeah Burnsy he missed half the season
Cookie – Yeah i can see young Shaw being taken off a bit and the odd time being given a break. Once he’s up to speed then i expect him to be first 11 more often than not. Big pressure on the kid but i think he can handle it and prosper.
I’d love to have a punt on both Young and Bojan. I think both of them could become a sneaky differential. If young has form, minutes and game time after 3 or 4 GWs, I might bring him in for mata. Yaya could well be a must have player again as well.
I like it.
How about Nani instead of Young Cookie ?? 😉
you pissed already?!!
Ha ha.Remember you talking about him about this time last year !!
Brooky, nah that couldn’t have been me (shut up mate, they won’t take me seriously if you bring that up!!)
Hey lads.
I think this will be the final make ya squad. (Well dam I hope so). Can I get some opinions?
Mannone (Krul)
Davies, Filipe Luis, Jones (Wisdom, Dummett)
Sigurdsson, Mata, Eriksen, Sterling (Davis)
Lukaku, Diego Costa, Rooney
makeya,
looks a very decent squad that on the whole – question marks on Mannone, Wisdom and Dummett but the rest I really like.
Yeah they’re the ones that will need heavy monitoring. Thanks Cookie!!
only worry is no city coverage, not that you need it with their opening fixtures, but maybe try and get a mid/forward in there if poss. looks a strong squad though, if you follow cookies advice
mannone is easy.. switch to pantillmon
wisdom probably best to duff( not taylor as you have krul)
not sure about dummett, might have to go to taylor, im having the same problem, not many 4 mils that are nailed
Anyone else waiting for Isla to be added to QPR’s team in FPL? I think the deal is done.
What will his price tag be?
With Redknapp certain on playing 3 defenders at the back (should be Oldie Ferdie, Caulker and Simpson), this means that the full backs of QPR will be out of position. Traore, the left back is listed as a midfielder in FPL, so no interest there.
Maybe if Isla is listed as a defender, a price tag of 5M would be justified for this out of position lad, if nailed?
Would like to hear your thoughts.
The B – Caulker’s point haul last season and goal record for a terrible Cardiff means he’s nailed in my team. Serious bargain at 5m, for me. Isla could be a good shout also. I reckon he’ll be 5m too.
NIN – I’m not convinced any QPR defender is a bargain for me at 5mln
Normally i would agree mate, what with them being a promoted side, but with Caulker’s goal record… 5 last season and very close to a couple more if i remember correctly. I have him in a rotation with Dann/Hangeland so hoping to take advantage of the home games and get some goals from him. Just 24 points behind Zabaleta last season while playing for Cardiff.
Caulker went straight in my team as soon as he was signed by QPR. Always a goal threat.
But im not sure if ill keep Caulker if Isla is priced 5M as well.
Whats the situation of Kolarov at City by the way?
Don’t make you wrong NIN but a 24pt swing between 15 players I’m your squad is a hell of a lot and tells you an awful lot about how good (ie bad) City were at the back.
Caulker is a good player though and I’m surprised a better club didn’t come in for him, but I still won’t spend 5mln on a QPR defender until they prove to be more solid than I think they are.
The B – I’ve learned my lesson with Kolarov. Unless he’s the only fit LB at City then i’m never picking him for my fantasy team again, ever! Haha.
For Kolarov, read Zaba, Clichy, Sagno IMO
Cookie – I’ll probably be laughed at for saying this but i kinda wanted United to buy him. Still only 22 and could have been a steal for us. I couldn’t argue with anyone being wary of QPR defence but that gal threat for 5m and a decent rotation with Palace is enough for me. Watch him get sent off all over the shop now!! Hahaha. Quite a decent defence they have going for themselves though. It’s their midfield that worries me though, it’s kak.
yep NIN and a poor midfield means a load of pressure on the defence, which we know only too well from last season!
I dunno, I just think there is so much higher priced quality in midfield and attack that spending 10mln on 2 players to rotate is too much – esp when one is a Rangers defender. If we were talking Swansea and Stoke I’d be more inclined to agree.
And yes, I’d have taken Caulker at United.
5m is too much for a rotation player for me at this early stage. Will applaud you if it goes well though
Haha, funnily enough i actually have those two teams covered too! Pieters&N.Taylor rotation. I’m 99.9% sure that this will be my final squad.
Krul – Man Pants
Pieters – N.Taylor – Caulker – Hange/Dann – Shaw
Siggy – Barkley – Ramsey – Mata – Fabregas
Rooney – Costa – Zamora
Zamora is the obvious shit heap but it doesn’t bother me really. I can put up with him for a few months (i remember how long people held onto Brayford last season without it affecting them). Thoughts mate?
Oh, Barkley is a one week hoorah until the Toon have City out of the way, then it’s de Jong coming in.
My thoughts are your third striker should at the very least play and, let’s push the boat out here, he should also have a chance of scoring some points! I don’t see the point of Zamora to be truthful mate – generally your scoring players will be your striker and a couple of your midfielders – granted that may be two of your strikers and three of your midfielders with the likes of Hazard, Yaya, Sanchez around but your 3rd striker has to contribute….and I can’t see Zamora bringing much to any squad.
Cookie – Agreed. Zamora is a shite pick. To be honest i’ve only bought him to allow me to get the players i want in midfield rather than have a 6m forward and someone like Albrighton as mid backup.
Cheers for your thoughts mate. I’ve C&P’d your comment to my notes on FPL (along with others) and will review them all in the run in to kick off. Thanks buddy.
Read this on the Guardians about Arsenal v Monaco, thought i’d share:
After Yaya Sanogo and Joel Campbell demonstrated their taste for goals on Saturday, Olivier Giroud played the first 45 minutes against Monaco laboriously enough for Wenger to withdraw him – “he was not ready at all after three weeks’ rest,” the manager explained with a furrowed brow – before handing the baton to Alexis Sánchez for a cameo at centre-forward. As focal points up front, the two players could not be more diverse.
There is certainly food for thought in how differently the team functioned when Sánchez moved to the front of Wenger’s team. Following on from the Giroud school of leading the line, it was as if a committed dog person had suddenly got himself a cat. Here was a complete contrast. Physically, and in terms of velocity and movement, the two players come from opposite ends of the spectrum. The runs they make are completely different: Giroud bulky and ambling, Sánchez darting, speedy, low and marked by explosive changes of direction.
Sky Sports now understanding Sunderland are closing in on the signing of Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell with the player on Wearside for talks over a move to the Stadium of Light.
Brilliant signing for them if he does move
until he gets injured…..
Haha very true
Great signing. Rodwell could be a fantastic player for the right club.